Training the Duke (Suddenly a Duke Book 7) by Alexa Aston

Author:Alexa Aston [Aston, Alexa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2023-10-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Finola rose, her heart heavy. Today would be the day she would have to let Pollux go. All her pups were special to her, but none more so than this first litter produced by Hera and Zeus. These were true Honeyfield spaniels in every sense of the word, and she would miss Pollux and his sweet, curious nature. Still, she knew he was going to a loving home, one which would be filled with children.

The thought of children brought a smile to her face. She had a lot of love in her heart for her dogs and knew it would increase a hundredfold if and when she gave birth to a child of her own. She only prayed that Cy would be the man to father them. She had enjoyed working with him since his arrival at Melrose, as well as Bertie. It was the boy as much as the man who had let her admit what was in her heart—that she loved Cy and wanted to spend a lifetime with him. Bearing his children. Living and loving together.

She made her way down to breakfast and ate quickly so as to have extra time to spend with Pollux before Pierce’s carriage arrived. She went to the barn and took the pups out in pairs in order to allow them to piddle and then placed them inside the dog run to play. Pollux and Castor came last and once they had relieved themselves, she placed Castor with his littermates and held Pollux out. Finola sat on the ground, and Pollux climbed into her lap. She stroked him, telling him that he was going to a fine home, a place where she would be able to visit him.

As she petted him, she said, “You are going to be so happy, Pollux. Nalyssa and Pierce will take such good care of you. They are loving people, and you will become as a family member to them. I will even come and see you on occasion.”

She caught sight of Bertie running in the distance and a chill rushed through her.

Something was wrong with Cy.

Quickly, Finola rose and placed Pollux in the dog run. He took off, racing to rejoin his littermates as she closed the gate and hurried to meet Bertie. By the time she reached him, the boy was out of breath. He stopped, placing his hands on his knees and bending over as he panted, trying to catch his breath. She tried to remain calm, not knowing what the situation was.

“Deep breaths, Bertie,” she encouraged.

He pushed himself upright and said, “We cannot go with you today to deliver Pollux to the duke and duchess. He’s in a bad way, Finola.”

“What does that mean, Bertie? Are Cy’s eyes troubling him?”

“No, it’s one of those headaches. He hasn’t had one since we arrived at Melrose. They’re awful, Finola. He just lies in the bed and moans, holding his head. He sent me to you to tell you he couldn’t go today.”

Tears formed in the boy’s eyes, and she enveloped him in her arms.

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